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MALTA MARITIME AUTHORITY TO HEAD NEW PORTS CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL
pr1445
05/10/2001
05/10/2001
| "This newly appointed Consultative Council is an effort to keep | abreast with the developments taking place in neighbouring Mediterranean ports which are directly competing with us and well ahead in their restructuring process. The latest development is currently taking place in Greece whereby the management of ports is being given to public entities who best know the needs of all port users and are thus in the best position to anticipate and implement change." This was stated by the Hon Censu Galea, Minister for Transport and Communications during the inauguration of the new Ports Consultative Council. |
| Mr Galea stated that "in view of the current | privatization process, international legislation which presents us with new obligations and an existing consensus on a definitive need for change, we are bound to ask whether the present legislative structures which rule port management are still valid. In this regard, we also need to assess the need for the strengthening of our ports’ competitiveness through a change in current legislation as well as the need for an assessment and revision of the efficiency in the way the different operating entities are providing their respective services." |
| He added that "the success presently being | enjoyed in the cruise liner, Freeport and bunkering industries are all confirming the concept that Malta’s port facilities have to be gradually transformed into hubs, a concept which complements Malta’s geographical position. Due to this fact, the Government felt the need to strengthen this success and accepted the Malta Maritime Authority’s proposal to set up this Consultative Council which goes in line not only with Government’s policy that dialogue should involve as many entities as possible, but also that every change should take place with the aim of benefiting all the communities operating in our ports." |
| Minister Galea concluded that "following the | endorsement and approval of the Port of Valletta Strategic Development Plan Report in Parliament and my Ministry’s intention to initiate discussions for an implementation plan in respect of the now long overdue port reform, the Government will be developing a National Ports Policy." |
| Speaking about the setting up of the Council, Dr Marc | Bonello, Chairman, Malta Maritime Authority, stated that "over the past years the Malta Maritime Authority had commissioned several studies on the Maltese ports to foreign port consultancy firms of international repute. The latest study was the Port of Valletta Strategic Development Plan commissioned to U.K. Hyder Consultants. The study carried out a SWOT analysis of the ports following wide consultation with port users, service providers and the unions. The Hyder report identified a number of "niche" markets for Valletta whilst recommending that both the Valletta and Marsaxlokk ports should work in synergy whilst keeping their respective autonomy." |
| Dr Bonello added that "the study recommended | that in order for the port of Valletta to maximise on the identified potential and for both ports to retain a high degree of competitiveness, it is imperative that legislation be updated, day to day administrative proceedings be transposed from law to "contracts of service" and that the overall institutional set-up be reformed. Moreover the study suggests that given that the hinterland at Valletta is at a premium, all the disused land areas in the proximity of the port should be earmarked for possible future port development. The Ministry shall soon be declaring the commercial port areas and their approaches." |
| Dr Bonello concluded that "the Council shall | further appraise the relevant studies carried out to date and make recommendations to the Minister responsible for ports in respect of the required parameters for the execution of a port reform and the development of a National Ports Policy. A tentative timeframe has been set for the middle of December 2001." |
| The Council has as Chairperson Dr Marc Bonello, | Chairman of the Malta Maritime Authority, assisted by staff from the Ports Directorate The members of the Council include port users, Terminal operators, service providers, workers' representatives and the Unions. |
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